Minutes of Annual Meeting of Longford County Council

Minutes of Annual Meeting of Longford County Council

held in The Village Inn, Drumlish on Friday, 30thJune 2017 at4.30 p.m.

PRESIDING:Councillor Mick Cahill, Cathaoirleach.

MEMBERS PRESENT:Councillors – Paraic Brady, John Browne,

Seamus Butler, Micheál Carrigy, Mark Casey, John Duffy, Gerard Farrell, Padraig Loughrey,

Luie McEntire, Martin Mulleady, Colm Murray,

Peggy Nolan, Pat O’Toole, P.J. Reilly, Paul Ross and

Mae Sexton and Gerry Warnock.

IN ATTENDANCE: Mr. Paddy Mahon,Chief Executive.

Mr. John Brannigan, Director of Services.

Mr. John McKeon, Head of Finance.

Ms. Barbara Heslin, Director of Services.

MEETINGS

ADMINISTRATOR:Ms. Anne Lee.

Cathaoirleach’s Address.

The outgoing Cathaoirleach, Councillor Mick Cahill, spoke regarding his year as Cathaoirleach of the Council. He stated that it had been a privilege to serve as Cathaoirleach and thanked the Elected Members, in particular the cross party support for important initiatives and vision to develop Longford in a sustainable manner. Mick also thanked the Chief Executive,the Directors of Services, the Meetings Administrator and all the stafffor their guidance, support and helpover the last year. He thanked the Leas Cathaoirleach, Councillor P.J. Reilly, for his assistance during the year.Councillor Cahill thanked the local media – the Longford Leader and Shannonside Radio - for their coverage of events during the previous twelve months.

Councillor Cahillstated that these are changing times for Longford and the Council with a new Management Team, new funding opportunities, and a new focus on the importance on cooperation and collaboration between agencies and communities.

The outgoing Cathaoirleach referred to the following positive developments-

Center Parcs
Commencement of works on site
Launch of the community path way
Their professionalism and approach to community engagement
Key role in bringing gas to County Longford

Northern Quarter
Decision by the Council to jointly bring the Connolly Barracks and Shopping Centre to the market
Recent appointment of joint sales agents

Housing
Delivering new social housing with development commenced in Drumlish

Regeneration
Funding opportunities including CLAR, Town and Village Renewal, Outdoor Recreation, REDz
Importance of community involvement in identifying and developing projects
Opportunity for Elected Members to lead the way and energise our towns, villages and communities

Launch of Rural Ireland Action Plan
Taoiseach Enda Kenny launched the Rural Action Plan in Ballymahon.

Creative Longford
Celebrating our creativity, history, culture and heritage
Launch of Creative Ireland and the Longford programme
Building on the success of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme
Longford selected as the first county to host the consultation workshops
Ambitious and exciting programme for 2017 highlighting and celebrating the creative and innovative talent we have in the county.

Visit by the President to Clondra
President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins commemorating the Royal Canal 200th Anniversary.

National Planning Framework and Capital Programme
Excellent submissions by Longford County Council recognising strategic importance of Longford in bringing sustainable development to the north Midlands and North West of the Country
Hopefully, making N4/N5 a reality - excellent work by the Chambers of Commerce in working together to bring this on to the national agenda. Delighted to have represented Longford at the presentation by the Chambers to the Oireachtas Committee meeting.

Tourism Longford
New Tourism Strategy launched.
Development of key strategic tourism infrastructure - Royal Canal greenway
Delivering the Lough Ree and Mid Shannon Wilderness project through collaboration.
Building on festivals and activities that bring people to our County - including the October Mudfest, Lough Ree Angling Festival, Longford Marathon, Triathlon, Drumlish Marquee, Busking Festival in Edgeworthstown, Edgeworth Literary Festival and Goldsmith Literary Festival.

Multi Agency Approach
IDA presentation to Longford County Council and increase in visits to the county
USEFE and Midlands Ireland - collaboration to deliver cross region projects
JPC - development of a multi agency focus and response to challenges in specific areas of the town.

Community Support
Working closely with groups to support sustainable development in their areas
Providing assistance and advice on potential projects and initiatives for their town or village
Community grants allocation to support the excellent work carried out by community groups
Central funding towards county wide events including the very successful and vibrant Summer Festival, County Longford Show and Country Fair, and the Leinster Fleadh Cheoil which will be held in Ballymahon in July.

Councillor Cahill also referred to a number of dark days during the year -

Cameron closure
Longford Architectural Metalwork closure
Impact on county, town, community, company and, in particular, staff and their families
Positive response by LCC, Chamber of Commerce and agencies including IDA, EI, DSP, ETB - highlighted as example of best practice and template for multi agency response.

Councillor Cahill listed a number of initiatives undertaken during the year to promote Longford -

New Logo and website launched
New initiatives introduced - generating excitement and interest in the town and county
Business forum established and creating links with Dublin Diaspora
New discussion forums established - A Discussion on Tourism (John Brennan) and A Discussion on Retail Excellence (David Fitzsimons)
Experience highlighted importance of Cathaoirleach role
Attendance at events including St Patrick's Day (meeting IDA and Failte Ireland in New York) and the Longford Association dinner in London to develop links with the London Diaspora
Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur - national success for Moyne Community School and Ballymahon Convent
Attendance at the Pride of Place Awards and recognition of Lus na Greine, Granard
LCC recognised at the NISO awards - Longford County Council were successful in winning a prestigious Category 1 Major Award.

Cathaoirleach Awards -

Peter Dennehy - Ballymahon MD.
Liam Fenelon - Longford MD.
Vincent Hawkins - Granard MD.
Ciaran Corcoran, Longford Site Director, Abbott Ireland Diagnostic.

Councillor Cahill stated that he started his term with the words – Remember, Reflect and Re-image and he will finish his term with the words - Imagination, Inspiration, Innovation and Integration .

Councillor Cahill paid special tribute to his wife, Carol, and daughters and wished the incoming Cathaoirleach every success in the year ahead.

The Members of the Council congratulated the outgoing Cathaoirleach on his very successful year.

Mr. Paddy Mahon,Chief Executive, on his own behalf and on behalf of the staff of the Council congratulatedCouncillor Cahillon his year as Cathaoirleach of the Council.He paid tribute to his hard work during the year and acknowledged him as an outstanding ambassador for the County. Paddy presented Councillor Cahill with a collage of photographs from his year as Cathaoirleach.

ELECTION OF CATHAOIRLEACH:

It was proposed by CouncillorS. Butlerand seconded by Councillor L. McEntire that Councillor Martin Mulleadybe elected Cathaoirleach of the Council.

It was proposed by Councillor P. Nolan and seconded by Councillor C. Murray that Councillor Gerard Farrell be elected Cathaoirleach of the Council.

A vote was taken -

For Councillor Mulleady-Councillors – S. Butler, M. Cahill, M. Casey,

P. Loughrey, L. McEntire, M. Mulleady,

P. O’Toole, P.J. Reilly, M. Sexton and

G. Warnock.

Total-10

For Councillor Farrell-Councillors – P. Brady, J. Browne, M. Carrigy

J. Duffy, G. Farrell, C. Murray, P. Nolan

and P. Ross.

Total- 8

Councillor Martin Mulleady was, thereby, elected Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council until the date of the Annual Meeting of Longford County Council in 2018.

The Chain of Office was formally conferred on Councillor Mulleady by the outgoing Cathaoairleach.

Councillor Mulleadythanked his proposer and seconder and the Members for electing him as Cathaoirleach of the Council for the coming twelve months.

The Cathaoirleachstated that it is a very momentous day for him and his family. Councillor Mulleady stated that he will work passionately for County Longford during his term as Cathaoirleachand listed his priorities for the year, including the following–

Business Forum.
Social Housing.
Adequate facilities for older people.
Center Parcs development.
Positive promotion of the County, especially through the local media.

Councillor Mulleady stated that he is looking forward to working with the Chief Executive, Management Team, the staff and the Members of the Council in the year ahead to promote County Longford. He extended best wishes to the outgoing Cathaoirleach, Councillor Mick Cahill, stating that he would be a very hard act to follow.

The Members joined in wishing Councillor Mulleady every success during his term of office as Cathaoirleach.

The Chief Executive on his own behalf and on behalf of the staff of the Council joined with the elected Members in congratulatingCouncillor Mulleady. Hewished him well in the year ahead as Cathaoirleach and offered his full support and that of all the staff during his term of office.

Councillor Farrell thanked his proposer and seconded and wished Councillor Mulleady every success in the year ahead.

ELECTION OF LEAS CATHAOIRLEACH.

The outgoing Cathaoirleach, Councillor P.J. Reilly, spoke regarding his year as Leas - Cathaoirleach of the Council. He stated that it had been a privilege to serve as Leas-Cathaoirleach and referred to a number of occasions when he represented the Cathaoirleach, in particular the visit to Longford of the US Ambassador to Ireland, Kevin O’Malley.

It was proposed by CouncillorS. Butler and seconded by Councillor G. Warnock that Councillor Padraig Loughreybe elected Leas Cathaoirleach of the Council.

It was proposed by Councillor M. Carrigyand seconded by Councillor J. Duffythat Councillor Paraic Brady be elected Leas Cathaoirleach of the Council.

A vote was taken -

For Councillor Loughrey-Councillors – S. Butler, M. Cahill, M. Casey,

P. Loughrey, L. McEntire, M. Mulleady,

P. O’Toole, P.J. Reilly, M. Sexton and

G. Warnock.

Total-10

For Councillor Brady-Councillors – P. Brady, J. Browne, M. Carrigy

J. Duffy, G. Farrell, C. Murray, P. Nolan

and P. Ross.

Total- 8

Councillor Padraig Loughrey was, thereby, elected Leas -Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council until the date of the Annual Meeting of Longford County Council in 2018.

The Chain of Office was formally conferred on Councillor Loughrey by the outgoing Leas-

Cathaoirleach, Councillor Reilly.

CouncillorLoughreythanked his proposer and seconder and the Members for electing him as Leas Cathaoirleach of the Council for the coming twelve months.

The Members joined in wishing Councillor Loughrey every success during his term of office as Leas Cathaoirleach.

CouncillorBrady thanked his proposer and seconder and congratulated Councillor Loughreyon being elected Leas Cathaoirleach.

The Chief Executive on his own behalf and on behalf of the staff of the Council joined with the elected Members in their expressions of congratulations to Councillor Loughrey on his election as Leas Cathaoirleach and wished him every success.

TIME AND DATE OF MEETINGS:-

It was unanimously agreed that the monthly meetings of Longford County Council continue to be held on the second Wednesday of each month, commencing at 4.00 p.m.

This concluded the business of the meeting.

Signed: ______

Anne Lee,

Meetings Administrator.

Confirmed and adopted at Monthly Meeting of Longford County Council held on the 13th September 2017.

Signed: ______

Cathaoirleach